Older acts

[thomasowen]

Why dont the people who run the festival hire some older acts to play? Im watchin New york dolls on Jools Holland and they would go down a treat. In the past they have had The Stooges and The Fall but they seemed to have stopped for the last couple of years. The Zombies are playing Isle of white, Brian Wilson and Motorhead are at Guilfest and Glasto obviously has loads (and spinal tap ) I know at it's heart Reading and Leeds is the young persons festival but surely Iggy or the odd act like that would be welcome?

[Englishdragon]

New York Dolls played 3 years ago did they not?

[moz4pm]

no they didnt

[Explosions_In_The_Sky]

The Zombies have been truly terrible since around oooo say 1969? Brian Wilson would always be ace, a true genius. New York Dolls played in 04 but I was only 16 and not sure what the hell was going on. I kinda watched them whilst chilled out sitting down.

In recent years surprise 'oldies' (don't like that term, it seems to demean artists somehow) like Dinosaur Jr (I don't seem them as old, but I guess to the average Reading goer they are), Echo And The Bunnymen, and The Stooges (of course) were all welcome additions to the lineup.

Greatest band to play the festival when I've been there and missed them out of musical naivety? MC5. By far one of the greatest bands ever, one of the bands that pretty much kicked off alt rock, grunge and punk years ahead of their time...and where was I? ...watching bloody Goldfinger! (who, are a fun pop punk band...but if only my callow 16 year old self was aware of who was playing the tent opposite!)

Edited May 16, 2009 by Explosions_In_The_Sky

[thomasowen]

The Zombies have been truly terrible since around oooo say 1969? Brian Wilson would always be ace, a true genius. New York Dolls played in 04 but I was only 16 and not sure what the hell was going on. I kinda watched them whilst chilled out sitting down.

In recent years surprise 'oldies' (don't like that term, it seems to demean artists somehow) like Dinosaur Jr (I don't seem them as old, but I guess to the average Reading goer they are), Echo And The Bunnymen, and The Stooges (of course) were all welcome additions to the lineup.

Greatest band to play the festival when I've been there and missed them out of musical naivety? MC5. By far one of the greatest bands ever, one of the bands that pretty much kicked off alt rock, grunge and punk years ahead of their time...and where was I? ...watching bloody Goldfinger! (who, are a fun pop punk band...but if only my callow 16 year old self was aware of who was playing the tent opposite!)

Edited May 16, 2009 by thomasowen

[pink_triangle]

These types of bands havent really drawn the crowds in at recent festivals and possibly dont come cheap so i can uderstand why the organisers would be wary booking them.

[Explosions_In_The_Sky]

Surely anyone would rather have an established legendry act like that than some rubbish new emo band taking a low main stage slot just because the promoters want to keep a label sweet?

The Zombies made the most overlooked, briliant album of the 1960s, its been a massive influence on loads of acts. They split up before even releasing it (though toured asia as it was a success afterwards) though if you are refering to Argent or Colin's solo stuff then yes, truely awful. However the new incarnation of the band have been praised as along with Brian Wilson the best 60s live act still going. They are unbelivable.

Edited May 16, 2009 by Explosions_In_The_Sky

[thomasowen]

Nah, most people look at music in terms of 'eras'. My Mum for instance is always shocked to find Cure, Jefferson Airplane or Floyd albums in my CD collection because they are 'not my era'. Whilst she on the other hand pretty much on the whole sticks to the Eighties as she was born in 66. It's a fair point, and understandable, most people have lives and don't spend hours trawling through decades of music to find something worth the search . Anyway, to your average Reading goer The Zombies are nothing. They'd much rather have Metro Station or something on the stage and it's easy to see why.

As for poor zombies albums I'm mainly talking about "As far as I can see', as I quite like 'New World'. Wasn't aware of their live reputation, but either way a band like that are unlikely. However, you never know, like the Echo and The Bunnymen and MC5 inclusions of earlier years. Just be prepared to be one of 16 people in front of the stage!

[robsadler]

sonic youth, the specials, brian wilson, paul mccartney (ok....not likely!), ray davies would all make me happy!

robx

[thetime]

good thread thomasowen. Thats what glastonbury does so well, putting on new music and lots of music from the older geration. My favorite last year at any festival was eric bibb on the jazz world. Would be quite interesting if they turned the carling stage into something like an acoustic/jazz.world stage for one day.

nick cave and the bad seeds would go down very well at reading/leeds infact he would be amazing.

but, there always a but. who can remember kevin rowland playing lol.

[Matticus]

the zombies would be absolutley brilliant.

i'd like neil young to headline Reading again, but cant see that ever happening

[rivalschools.price]

The Zombies have been truly terrible since around oooo say 1969? Brian Wilson would always be ace, a true genius. New York Dolls played in 04 but I was only 16 and not sure what the hell was going on. I kinda watched them whilst chilled out sitting down.

In recent years surprise 'oldies' (don't like that term, it seems to demean artists somehow) like Dinosaur Jr (I don't seem them as old, but I guess to the average Reading goer they are), Echo And The Bunnymen, and The Stooges (of course) were all welcome additions to the lineup.

Greatest band to play the festival when I've been there and missed them out of musical naivety? MC5. By far one of the greatest bands ever, one of the bands that pretty much kicked off alt rock, grunge and punk years ahead of their time...and where was I? ...watching bloody Goldfinger! (who, are a fun pop punk band...but if only my callow 16 year old self was aware of who was playing the tent opposite!)